Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa Description & Overview The iconic oak of Wisconsin! Bur Oak is one of the toughest oaks, tolerant of highly alkaline soils and drought. Most have interesting corky bark on young branches. The acorns make it an excellent plant to attract wildlife. Use where space is not […]

Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Description & Overview The Wisconsin State Tree, Sugar Maple is one of the hardiest and long lived of all the maples. Valued commercially for timber and syrup production, this tree is a staple of Wisconsin woodlands and fall color. With fall color ranging from gold to […]

Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia Description & Overview Native to Wisconsin’s woodlands and forests, Pagoda Dogwood is an incredibly useful small tree or large shrub that provides year-round interest in the landscape. 2-inch clusters of slightly fragrant flowers in spring give way to blue-black berries on red peduncles (flower stalks) in […]

Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Description & Overview Common Hackberry is a large, Wisconsin native shade tree with a vase shape canopy. It tolerates tough sites and excels in urban plantings. Hackberry has characteristic wart-like bark and dark-red to purple fruits, lending itself well to bird-centric landscapes. Core Characteristics Wisconsin Native: […]

River Birch Betula nigra Description & Overview Excellent for wet soil conditions. Beautiful exfoliating cinnamon-brown bark exposes the pink inner bark. Resistant to bronze birch borer. River birch is also known as Black Birch, Red Birch, and Water Birch. Core Characteristics Wisconsin Native: Yes USDA Hardiness Zone: to zone 3 […]

Ironwood Ostrya virginiana Description & Overview Ironwood is a small, slow-growing pyramidal tree native to the dry understory in our local oak woods. Its small mature size is great for restricted spaces and the tree will thrive in sun or heavy shade. While it has shown promise as a street […]

Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Description & Overview Oak genetics are amazingly diverse and there seems to be an oak tree adapted for almost every situation. The Swamp White Oak is no exception – it’s not only native to our local ecosystem but can also adapt to different soil conditions. […]

Showy Mountainash Sorbus decora Description & Overview Wisconsin native, Showy Mountainash provides true all-season interest in our northern climate. White showy spring flowers give way to bright red, eye-catching fruit clusters throughout summer. The tree has reliable fall color and fruit persists during winter for birds to feed on. Not […]

American Beech Fagus grandiflora Description & Overview American beech is an aristocrat of the forest! Large, stately tree with light gray, smooth bark that can resemble an elephants hide. Edible nuts are attractive to most wildlife and are produced at 2-8 year intervals. Slow growing. Climax forest tree. Core Characteristics […]

Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides Description & Overview Quaking Aspen is a fast growing, narrow-oval to pyramidal, Wisconsin native tree with lustrous dark green foliage that shimmers in the slightest breeze. This pioneer species is quick to colonize open spaces, especially where there is bare soil. Its creamy white bark and […]

Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Description & Overview I’ll give you one guess why it’s called Shagbark Hickory- and it’s not because it was the inspiration for 1970’s flooring. Its characteristic peeling, platy bark gives this tree four season interest no matter the location. Strong wood for timber and sweet nuts […]

Bigtooth Aspen Populus grandidentata Description & Overview Bigtooth Aspen is one of, if not the fastest growing native trees in Wisconsin. It’s an early colonizer of prairies and woodland edges but prefers drier sites than its cousin, Quaking Aspen. Named for the large teeth on leaves that shimmer in a […]

Hills Oak Quercus ellipsoidalis Description & Overview Hills Oak is often found on dry, acidic soils with low nutrient content. The glossy green leaves have deep sinuses, and the tree tends to hang on to lower branches. A good choice for reliable fall color in tough, droughty sites, but will […]

Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii Description & Overview Chinkapin Oak loves alkaline soil! This tree is a reliable grower, even in the poorest of sites. The small, sweet acorns are possibly the most preferred by wildlife. With its chestnut-like leaves and bright fall color, Chinkapin Oak is sure to make a […]

Red Oak Quercus rubra Description & Overview A monarch of our climax forests in Wisconsin! Red Oak shines as a specimen tree with its brilliant red fall color and deep green leaves in summer. It is the fastest growing native oak in Wisconsin and its silvery smooth bark provides excellent […]